Second Territorial Capitol

The second territorial capitol building
was erected in Omaha in 1857-58 at a cost of about $130,000.
Situated on what came to be called Capitol Hill, it continued
to serve as the seat of territorial government until the removal
of the capital to Lincoln in 1867. The Omaha Nebraskian
on October 3, 1855, said: "[T]hrough the politeness of Wm.
Rumbold, the gentlemanly and accomplished architect by whom the
plan was designed and who is now in this city superintending
the work, we are enabled to give our readers a more perfect description
of the building than has yet been published.

"The building will be of brick, with
a tin roof surmounted with a beautiful observatory and the whole
is calculated to be done in the most thorough, substantial manner.
The extreme length is 137 feet, extreme width 93 feet. The body
of the building is 109 l/2 feet by 65 l/2 feet wide, and 62 l/2
feet in height to the apex, presenting 4 fronts with a colonnade
portico on each 14 feet wide and 65 feet long. All the ornamental
portions on the outside are of iron and the capitals of the columns
are of the Corinthian order with modillion cornice.

"The basement is 5 feet above the
ground and 8 feet in the cellar and will be occupied for the
offices of the district attorney, marshal, etc. On the first
floor above basement are the supreme court room, library, offices
of the auditor, treasurer, librarian, the senate chamber, hall
of representatives and offices of the governor and secretary.
The senate chamber is 35 by 60 feet with a gallery and is to
be of the Roman order, and the ark cornice over the speaker's
seat is to be surmounted with three eagles, the coat of arms
of the territory and the territorial motto, 'Popular Sovereignty,'
inscribed beneath them. The supreme court room is to be finished
in the Doric style.

"The whole plan reflects great credit
on the skill of the designer, Mr. Rumbold; and the energy with
which our worthy Executive, Governor Izard, is pressing the work
for admirable adaptation to the uses for which it is designed,
as the 'State House of Nebraska,' occupying its commanding position
on Capitol Hill, the building, will be a conspicuous ornament
to Omaha City, and a monument of refined taste, foretokening
the glorious future of Nebraska which the people of our whole
territory may regard with emotions of patriotic pride."

In 1869 the building and grounds were
presented to the city of Omaha. By 1872 it had been completely
torn down and replaced by Omaha High School.